Update

Hey ya'll I've changed country for a couple of weeks so the posts are gonna be almost nil! My cousin's wedding is on sunday so hopefully I'll be able to get some really nice pictures of that and put them here! It's not even my wedding, I've only got a small part and I'm already stressed! It doesn't look like my wedding is going to be anytime soon! Until next post...ciao!

Etiquette

Do you know the proper wedding etiquette? Read below to find out!                                                                                                                                    The proper etiquette for informing friends and guests about your registry is to ask your bridesmaids, mothers and relatives to spread the word.   Is is proper to include the phrase "Registered at__________" on your shower invitations and any communications regarding the wedding other than the wedding invitation.  It is NOT proper to include registry information with your wedding invitations.

The wedding ring must not be put above the engagement ring.  The wedding band is worn at the base of the finger.  On her wedding day a bride either leaves her engagement ring at home when she goes to the church or she wears it on her right hand.  Afterwards she wears it above her wedding ring.

The bride is on her fathers (or whoever escorts her) left arm coming down the aisle.  She does take her place at the grooms left during the ceremony, but when she comes back down the aisle she is then on her husbands right arm.  She always stands to his right at the reception.

It is the duty of the ushers to show all guests to their places.  An usher offers his right arm to each lady as she arrives, whether he knows her personally or not.  He asks of their preference of seating, the bride's side or the groom's side.   Members of the two families and a few most interested friends are seated in the front reserved pews.  All of the other guests are seated according to the general rule of first come first served.   It would be most helpful to have someone in the vestibule to identify family members and point these out to the ushers so that the proper seating is achieved.

The groom's mother is escorted up the aisle on the arm of an usher, usually the head usher,with the groom's father following behind.  They are seated in the second pew on the right. The first pew remains empty.  The bride's mother is then escorted to her seat. (second pew on the left).  No person should be seated after the entrance of the mother of the bride.

Whichever the direction of the receiving line, the bride always stands to her husband's right.  There is no rule as to whether the bride or groom is greeted first.

The maid of honor stands at the right of the bride.  (receiving line).  Usually the bridesmaids stand at the right of the maid of honor, but can be split with half standing to the left of the groom.

The Brides Parents Table.  The groom's mother sits on the right of the bride's father, and opposite them the groom's father next to the mother of the bride.  The other places at the table are occupied by distinguished guests including the clergyman who performed the ceremony and, if married, his wife.   He is seated at the left of the hostess and she at the bride's father's left.   Otherwise only especially intimate friends of the bride's parents are invited to this table.

If the reception is to be held away from the church, the best man sees the bride and groom into their vehicle.

The Second Marriage.  The fact that a bridegroom has been married previously has no bearing on the wedding preparations which may be made by his maiden bride.  More information and etiquette on this subject at Getting Remarried.Com

The Marriage of a Widow differs from that of a maid in that she cannot wear a bridal veil, orange blossoms, or a myrtle wreath, which are emblems of virginity; nor does she have bridesmaids, though she may have a maid or matron of honor.  She may if she chooses, wear all white.  When she becomes engaged, she should either remove or transfer her first wedding and engagement rings to the third finger of her right hand.  Both of these rings are removed before the second marriage.  In time, with no objection from her new husband, she may wear the first engagement ring  on her right hand.

The Marriage of a Divorcee.  Whether or not a divorcee may be married in her church depends upon the circumstances of her divorce and the approval of her clergyman.  She may not wear a typical white bridal dress and veil.  If she prefers to wear white, it should be a simple street length style.   Otherwise she chooses any style of dress she prefers.  Engraved invitations are not in good taste, handwritten notes are best.

The Double Wedding.  At a double wedding, the two bridegrooms follow the clergyman and stand side by side, each with his best man behind him;  the groom of the older sister nearer the aisle.  Then come the bridesmaids of the older sister followed by her maid of honor.  The older sister follows on her father's arm.  Then come the bridesmaids of the younger sister, her maid of honor and last the younger bride on the arm of a brother, uncle, or nearest male relative.  The first couple ascend the chancel steps and take their places at the left side side of the altar rail, leaving room at the right side for the younger bride and her bridegroom.  The father stands just below his oldest daughter.  The brother takes his place in the first pew.  The ceremony is a double one, read to both couples, with particular responses made twice.  The father gives both brides away, the older daughter first, then the youngest.  He then takes his place in the first pew beside his wife.  At the end of the ceremony, the older sister and her husband goes down the aisle first, then the younger couple.  The bridesmaids of the older are followed by the younger.

Seating parents at a double wedding.  One difficulty of a double wedding is the seating of the parents of the two bridegrooms, who must either share the first pew or draw lots for the occupation of first or second - which questions they must decide for themselves.  Occasionally the brides are cousins, in which case the front pew on the bride's side must be shared by both mothers, the older sister,or sister-in-law,being given the aisle seat.

More than One Maid and/or Matron of Honor. Some brides have two or three close friends or sisters and want to include all of them.   List them in your wedding program and the reason why you selected them.  The best man can escort both on the recessional, one on each arm.

Reception food

Never really thought about it but the time of day you had your reception, determined what will be served. I mean I knew there was going to be food there but I didn't know when you'd serve what. I just assumed that from 11-2 it would be lunch and after that it would be dinner, but check this:

• Brunch (typically the most economical option): 10 am to 1 pm. Food served: breakfast. For desert, serve wedding cake.  
• Lunch: 1 pm to 4 pm. This can either be a sit down lunch or buffet style. Begin with Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. Food served: chicken, beef, fajitas, salads, etc. Desert - wedding  cake.
• Hors d'oeuvres: 3 pm to 7 pm. Foods served: fruit and cheese platters, stuffed mushrooms, quiches, chicken or beef skewers, shrimp cocktail, breads, etc. In using this option note on your invitation "please join us for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails" so that guests will know that no dinner will be served. Desert - wedding cake.
• Classic dinner: 7 pm and onward. Begin with Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. Classic sit-down dinner with soup or salad and main entree or buffet style (note: most think buffet receptions are less expensive, but it is not always so, because you have no control over how much your guests will eat). Desert - wedding  cake.

 Interesting....

Reception food

Never really thought about it but

Flowers for the groom...

Don't freak out-I mean the little thing on his jacket! His boutonniere.So I thought that when you choose flowers for the groom, you just gave him whatever went with the colour scheme....turns out I was wrong! Ran into this thing where it turns out all the flowers have a meaning!

Acacia	Friendship
Agapanthus	Secret love
Allium	Unity, Patience, Humility
Alstromeria	Fortune, Prosperity
Amaryllis	Pride
Anemone	Forsaken
Aster	Talisman of love
Astilbe	I’ll still be waiting
Azalea	Temperance, First love
Bachelor’s Button	Delicacy, Single blessedness
Bell’s of Ireland	Good Luck
Begonia	A fanciful nature
Bluebell	Humility
Bouvardia	Enthusiasm
Buttercup	Childishness
Caladium	Great joy & delight
Calla	Magnificent beauty
Camellia	Perfection
Carnation (Pink)	I’ll never forget you
Carnation (Purple)	Capriciousness
Carnation (Red)	Alas poor heart
Carnation (Striped)	Sorry I can’t be with you
Carnation (Yellow)	Disdain
Carnation (White)	Innocence
Chrysanthemum	Truth
Coral Bells	Challenge
Coreopsis	Always Cheerful
Cosmos	Modesty
Crocus	Youthful Gladness
Cyclamen	Good Bye, Resignation
Daffodil	You are the only one
Dahlia	Instability
Daisy	Innocence, Purity
Dandelion	Happiness, Faithfulness
Fern	Secret bond of love
Flax	Domestic Symbol
Forsynthia	Good Nature
Freesia	Innocence
Gardenia	Secret Love
Garlic	Strength, Courage
Gladiolus	Strength of character
Gloxinia	Love at first sight
Heather	Wishes will come true
Hibiscus	Delicate beauty
Holly	Domestic happiness
Hyacinth	Flowers dedicated to Apollo
Hydrangea	Heartlessness, Frigidity
Iris	Wisdom and Valor
Ivy	Affection, Friendship, Fidelity
Jasmine (Yellow)	Modesty
Jasmine (White)	Amiability
Kalanchoe	Popularity
Larkspur	An open heart
Lavender	Devotion
Lilac	Youthful innocence
Day Lily	Chinese emblem for mother
Lily (Orange)	Wealth
Lily (Yellow)	Walking on air
Lily (White)	Sweetness
Lily Of The Valley	Sweetness, Humility
Magnolia	Nobility, Love of Nature
Marigold	Jealously, Grief, Cruelty
Missletoe	Kiss me, Affection
Monkshood	Chivalry
Moss	Maternal love, Charity
Myrtle	Hebrew emblem of love, Home, Love
Narcissus	Egotism
Nuts	Stupidity
Orange Blossom	Purity, Innocence
Oleander	Caution
Orchid (Cattleya)	Beauty, Love
Palm Leaves	Success, Victory
Pansy	Thoughtful recollection
Peach Blossom	I am your captive
Peony	Bashfulness
Petunia	Resentment, Anger
Phlox	Our souls are united
Pine	Hope, Pity
Poppy	Imagination, Eternal sleep, Oblivion
Primrose	Inconsistency
Queen Anne’s Lace	Haven
Quince	Temptation
Ranuculus	Radiant with charm
Rose Bud	Beauty & Love
Rose (Garland or Crown)	Symbol of superior merit
Rose (Single Bloom)	I love you
Roses (Burgundy)	Unconscious love
Roses (Deep Red)	Bashful
Roses (lavender)	Enchantment
Roses (Red)	Love, I love you
Roses ( Peach)	Desire
Roses (Pink)	Grace, Perfect happiness
Roses (Tea)	I’ll remember always
Roses (Thornless)	Love at first sight
Roses (Yellow)	Joy, Friendship, Jealousy
Roses (White)	Innocence, Purity
Roses (White & Red)	Unity
Rosemary	Remembrance
Sage	Domestic Virtue
Smilax	Loveliness
Snapdragon	Presumption
Spider Flower	Elope with me
Spirea	Conceit, Victory
Star of Bethlehem	Purity
Statice	Sympathy, Remembrance
Stephanotis	Happiness in marriage
Stock	Lasting beauty
Sunflower	Adoration
Sweet Pea	Blissful pleasure
Tuberose	Dangerous pleasure
Tulip	Perfect lover, Fame
Tulip (Red)	Declaration of love
Tulip (Varigated)	Beautiful eyes
Tulip (Yellow)	Hopeless love
Verbena	May your wishes come true
Violet	Modesty & simplicity
Viscaria	Dance with me
Water Lily	Purity of the heart
Wax Flower	Riches
Weeping Willow	Mourning
Wheat	Friendliness
Yarrow	Healing
Zinnia	Thoughts of absent friends

What if I had not seen this in time? I probably would have given him, Bell's of Ireland which means good luck or poppy which means eternal sleep! Talk about dooming the wedding before it even starts! To be honest I think with a handkerchief you can hardly go wrong!  A word to the wise -Research is needed when planning a wedding!

Birdcage!!!!!

I'm feeling the birdcage idea. At lot less than the cathedral veil though because I'm feeling the whole lifting off the veil thing and I don't think it's possible or makes sense here!

Budget :(

So if there is anything I hate doing-it is talking about money! Alas it must be done right? Let look at the average amount of money people spend in the US on weddings. A grand total of 26, 984. Let's see if I can do better! :)

Let's see here now:

Reception venue = 7,375.86

Catering = 5,232.15-it is very possible the venue includes food or friends will cook.

Engagement ring = Not getting one

Reception band = Friend's DJ equipment

Photographer = 1,750 more or less really I'm trying to go as professional as possible!

Florist/Decor = 1,208.87 not even! Simple but stylish!

Videographer = 889.626 I think I'll just get a friend to do this-not really looking for professional here...

Church = 1,208.87 (this is crazy) so 50 pounds/hr for 4 hrs (max) 200 pounds

Rehersal dinner  = 685.290 more or less depending on guests

Wedding gown = 668.356 very likely to be in USD so less

Reception DJ = not necessary

Wedding transportation =405.644 more or less

Wedding cake = 100 if that!

Ceremony musician =Friends

Invitations = 213 if that

Favours =100 tops if I don't use the cake

With the exchange rate at 1.64 USD to the pound the total wedding cost amounts to: 11, 933....Still a lot more than I thought it would be. However at 19, 570 USD it's still a lot lower than the average American wedding which costs 26, 984. Changing the reception venue to somewhere that would charge possibly 5000 pounds would bring the whole proceedings to about 9, 000 pounds-which is still a pretty penny!

Hmm this wedding thing is not going to be cheap or easy at all! 

Maybe a destination wedding would be cheaper ;)